Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
5-31-1985
Degree Name
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Electrical Engineering
First Advisor
Stanley S. Reisman
Second Advisor
Peter Engler
Third Advisor
W. H. Warren Ball
Abstract
This work describes the further development of a system for the measurement of the energy expenditure of rats. Based on the concept of indirect calorimetry the respiratory exchange is monitored in a controlled experiment. Rats are held in cages through which air is drawn and analyzed. Transducers and sensors, interfaced to the computer, are measuring the composition and the physical parameters of the gas entering and leaving the chambers. The data recieved is processed, displayed on a screen, printed and stored for later analysis.
The accuracy and repeatability of the system improved by measuring additional parameters like barometric pressure and decreasing systematical errors by proper use of the gas equations and the methods for analyzing respiratory gases. Changes in the mechanical set up increased the speed of response of the system while the pressure dependence of the analyzers is eliminated by calculations made in software to relate their readings to physical parameters like temperature, humidity and pressure.
This enables the user to suit the specific flow through any chamber to the actual need of the rat.
An accuracy monitor is implemented to screen random errors resulting from drift or noise of the environment by automatically feeding gases of known concentration into the system in periodic intervals programmed by the user.
Recommended Citation
Tebbje, Holger, "Computerized instrumentation system for indirect measurement of metabolic changes in rats" (1985). Theses. 3482.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/3482
